For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? - the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. - Psalm 18:31-36

The goodness of God is stamped all over Scripture. Psalm 27:13 says, "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (NASB). I love David's honesty. Here was the only man called "a man after [God's] own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), anointed by Samuel to be king of Israel, a giant-slayer, but no stranger to suffering, saying, "I would have lost it; I would have melted down if I had not believed..."

Despair is a place that you don't want anyone to go. People who go there often don't come back. Despair is an utterly dark place. You're deep down, down, down, in a damp, dark cave. No light. No air. No hope. Nobody wants to go to despair.

The dictionary defines despair as "destitute of positive expectations." If you're in despair, you can't see anything good in your future.

You have no idea how life could improve.

You have no words to pray.

You can't return to a better time because there isn't one. The place is gone.

You can't remove the circumstances because the opportunity is gone.

You can't retrieve any level of relationship because the person is gone.

You can't do it over because the time has passed.

If you focus on the dark and the deep and the damp, you're going into despair.

Warning!

Picture a blinking, neon warning light here. If you find yourself dwelling on some painful or difficult thing that happened to you in the past to the point that it's the only thing you can think about—please, stop! You're headed straight for despair. Second Corinthians 10:5 says that we are to "take every thought captive to obey Christ." You can choose where you allow your thoughts to go. David did.

David knew the damp, dark desperation of the land of despair. The enemy called out to him, Come over here, David. Go to the bottom. Give it up. David said, "I heard a voice tempting me to go to despair." He felt its breath hot on his neck, chasing his hope away. The enemy wants nothing more than to destroy the faithful follower of Christ. You'll hear that voice too. Learn to recognize it and turn around.

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . Hebrews 12:1

My son Luke and I were on the computer a while back when I asked for his password. He answered, "It's 'Keep on.'" I told him that was a great password and he said, "Oh Dad, that's my password for everything."

Keep on. Keep on. Keep on.

For sure he'll change his password now, but I hope he'll never change his perspective. These two words are critical to success in life and in the Christian life. The biblical word is endurance or perseverance--the ability to keep on doing the things you have committed yourself to doing when you feel like it and when you don't. Nothing is more essential to success in the Christian life than perseverance. Faith gets you started; perseverance keeps you going.

This matter of perseverance is so critical to the Christian life that James 1 tells us that above all other human traits, perseverance is the characteristic that God is trying to build into your life and mine. The ability to keep on going. Keep making and keeping the commitments of life.

It's easy to start the race. All kinds of people get up in the morning and put their jogging suit on and begin to run. But when the miles click past and the muscles start to fatigue and life isn't easy anymore, what do they do? What do you do?

It's easy to put on a white dress or a tuxedo and get to the front of the church; everybody knows that. But to have a happening marriage--not for five--but for 15 or 40 years, that takes perseverance!

It's easy to conceive a child and, by comparison, it's easy to birth a child, but to keep on training and raising those kids day in and day out, following through on what you have said and taught--that takes commitment!

Might I say in addition to that, it's easy to pray a prayer and walk an aisle; it's easy to confess faith in Christ. But to keep on following Christ--even when the pressure is on--that takes staying power. "My brothers, consider it pure joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the trying of your faith produces perseverance."

Staying power! Did you know that if God could get that one thing into your life, He could give you everything else? James 1 goes on to say, "But let perseverance have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (v.4).

This week we stand on the hinge between two years--2008 and 2009. How will these two years mark your life? Look back on 2008 for a moment. If your year was like mine, you can see some pretty significant peaks and valleys. Praise God for them. Praise God that at this year's end, you can stand before Him in faith and humility and say, "No matter what is behind me, I finish this year strong in Christ." Like Paul in Philippians 3:13-14 "but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" I press on--that's perseverance.

Now look ahead to 2009. You don't know what the year will bring, but you can be sure of this, God is faithful. His mercies will be new every morning of every day of the new year. There's power in the day when you start it with faith in God and a commitment to perseverance.

Keep on--it's a great password for 2009.

"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet."
Proverbs 3:24

We've all heard the phrase "crippling emotions." The truth is, emotions can shackle a person from moving forward in her life, especially fearful emotions.

How much fear have you allowed to build up in you over the yearsperhaps a fear of failure or a fear of rejection? To what degree is fear holding you back from taking the risks to learn . . . to try . . . to do . . . to speak up . . . to step out . . . to move forward?

A woman who truly walks in freedom toward the fulfillment of her dreams and goals is a woman who has discovered a way of overcoming fears with faith.

Sheila Walsh has written this about fear: "Fear is a ravenous beast that can eat away at our faith and paralyze us until we are unable to move."

How did you find yourself able to "move" again?

Faith is the true opposite of fear. The Bible states repeatedly that trusting in the Lordbelieving that the Lord will impart His presence and helpis the sure-fire way to overcome fear and experience courage.

Now take a look at each fear on your list and ask: "What would God like me to do about this fear?" Write down your response next tot the fear you have listed.

Why do you think we fear failure so much?

The Bible tells the story of a woman who decided she had had enough of her illness and went to Jesus for healing. She no doubt had fears about what she was planning to do. She had experienced "a flow of blood" for twelve years, very likely a form of endometriosis or some other disorder in her uterus that caused nonstop menstruation or hemorrhage. She was very likely physically weak. She was also desperate. She had spent all the resources she had trying to find a cure. The Bible says she had been to many physicians and had "suffered" at their hands and was not better, but rather, she grew worse. Then she heard about Jesus. Somewhere inside her a flicker of faith was fanned into flame and she said to herself, if only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." She boldly maneuvered her way through a crowd of people and reached out to touch the hem of Jesus' garment. The Bible says that the flow of blood "dried up" immediately (see Mark 5:25-34).

Have you ever been so desperate in your circumstances that you knew you had to take action, no matter the consequences to your reputation, your pride, or your social standing? What happened as a result of your desperation?

This woman who was hemorrhaging had more than a physical ailment. She also suffered from rejection and, very likely, loneliness. Her condition made her "unclean" in her community at that time, which meant she was required to refrain from mingling with crowds of people or participating in religious ceremonies. For twelve years, she had been isolated from many of her neighbors and friends, and she was prohibited from taking part in many family celebrations. After she touched the hem of Jesus' garment, Jesus turned and asked, "Who touched My clothes?" The woman, "fearing and trembling," fell down at Jesus' feet and told Him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction" (see Mark 5:30-34).

Why would a person be reluctant to admit the whole truth to anybody about her fears . . . perhaps even refusing to admit the whole truth to herself?

What freedom is gained when you confront your fears?

Digging Deeper

In what ways does the pursuit of your dreams and purpose involve overcoming fear with faith? How might you "grow in faith" and in your ability to trust God in all things and for all things?

Ponder & Pray

In what ways do you feel challenged to ask God to help you trust Him more about a specific situation you are facing today?

I put 2 wonderful books on my blog that make my Christmas a wonderful memory!  Do you have any Christmas memories or traditions that make it exciting for you and your family?  We usually celebrate Christmas Eve with Brian's mom and sister, and niece.  Christmas day, we skip breakfast and go straight to the presents.  Then we have lunch with Brian's dad. In the afternoon we read stories, and enjoy our new toys!  This year Brian gets the whole weekend off.  So we are pretty excited over that.

One year I remember, I had our youngest a few weeks prior, and didn't have any time to wrap presents.  So at the last minute, I put all of Tristan's toys into Wal-Mart bags.  He didn't know the difference, plus he didn't care!  We still had a wonderful Christmas.  I just hope that I don't have to do that again.

Every year as well we have an Advent Wreath, which we read every Sunday until Christmas.  One year my parents gave us an Nativity Scene Christmas countdown. 

This year I've not done much of our Christmas Traditions.  Up at our shop has been busy, kid's activities has been pretty much been everyday!  The only thing I have done was read the Christmas books, and have the presents wrapped, and have the Christmas tree up.  So at least we have something.

I cannot wait til Christmas.  It's a time to rejoice Christ's birth.

Matthew 1:18-25

18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

 20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^[c] because he will save his people from their sins."

 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"^[d]—which means, "God with us."

 24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Peace is one of the greatest gifts the Lord has brought to us. In the verse above, the prophet Isaiah helps us to recognize the peace we will have upon Christs arrival, and goes on to proclaim the glory and majesty of who He is and His purpose for coming.

Wonderful Counselor points to the Messiah as Kinga king who will direct and guide, and carry out a plan of actionbut also One the world will know as loving and compassionate; One who cares about each and every one of us and the smallest details of our lives.

Mighty God refers to His divine power. He spoke, and the earth, sun, moon and stars came into being. He parted the seas, stopped the waves, and performed miracles that we talk about to this very day.

Everlasting Father indicates that His grace and mercy are never ending, and that He will never leave us or forsake us. Ever.

Prince of Peace reminds us that only through Jesus Christ we will have true peace of mind and soul. Faith in Christ brings peace with the Father, and it is on believers that Gods favor of peace will rest.

If you answered mostly As then youre a MAGI.
Thats right! Youre most like the wise Magi. You love to learn new things and are curious about the world around you. Traveling to new places, trying new kinds of food, and reading plenty of good books are some of your favorite activities. Someday youll help lots of people understand all that youve discovered, and maybe even have time for a little star gazing. But youre so clever, you probably already figured that out!

If you answered mostly Bs then youre a SHEPHERD.
Congratulations! Youre about as loyal as a person can get. You love animals and being out in nature where life is nice and simple. Taking care of your family and your small group of close friends is very important to you. I In the future youll be the person everyone goes to when theyre feeling a bit down because you make everyone feel special and safe. Take care of that flock!

If you answered mostly Cs then youre an ANGEL.
You are quite the social butterfly! You light up a room with all your stories. You spend lots of time talking to your friendswhether online, on the phone, or in person. Chances are you have a great smile and people like being around you. Someday you could have an excellent career in communications, acting as a heavenly herald every day of the year! Spread those wings and fly.

If you answered mostly Ds then youre an INNKEEPER.
Now, youre probably thinking this doesnt sound like you, but wait! This is one of the most important roles in the Nativity story and in life itself. People like you make the world go round because youve got a head for business. You understand how to organize people to work together. In essence, youre a good leader and an independent thinker. But you also help people out by providing security and protection to anyone who comes knocking on your door. One day youll probably be in charge of a lot of people, but theyll know your good heart and will always trust you.

http://www.womenoffaith.com/

I found this site for Women of Faith

http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/couples.php

My husband and I went to the Fireproof movie last night.  What a wonderful movie to go to.  Wheather you are not doing well, or doing well, but would like to keep the communication and romance alive in a marriage.  I recomend this movie to all.